Spark for Women

Have you got a business idea but are not sure of your next step? Spark for Women transforms futures by bringing women together and providing you with the tools, knowledge and insight to support your new venture.

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What is Spark for Women?

Join us to be a part of something special; a network of women with the common goal of starting a business or growing their existing one.*

Spark provides the insight and tools to move your idea or business forward. Working with other likeminded women, you will develop and grow your idea or business through a range of interactive workshops, networking sessions and tailored coaching and mentoring.

For new enterprises, there is a six week test trade period, allowing you to trial and start up your business alongside your established network, within a supportive environment. A £500 grant, a package of business support and training in excess of £4,000 and a business mentor will also be provided for every business that reaches the end of the programme.

*businesses must have been registered for less than 12 months

How does the programme work?

To find out how you can start your journey to transforming your future, book onto one of our launch events.

Step 1 – Idea:
Set your idea out on paper in no more than 500 words. You will be invited to talk through your idea and aspirations in more depth with our Spark for Women Coordinator.

Start your journey together by attending a launch event to get to know your new network.

​Step 2 – Inspiration:
Attend the two day Business Essentials programme and hear from influential women about their experiences when starting up their business. During the two days you will work together to create a business roadmap, attend sessions on key topics such as finance, marketing and sales and have the opportunity to receive guidance from business experts.

A range of interactive workshops will also be available to support you moving forward to step 3, as well as peer to peer support, coaching and networking sessions.

​Step 3 – Proposition:
This step is all about scoping, developing and presenting your business plan. During this stage, you will have an opportunity to communicate your idea to a business panel and receive expert advice before progressing on to step 4.

Step 4 – Realisation:
From our mentor bank, you will have a choice of mentors who will help guide and drive your business forward. Our Spark for Women Coordinator will work with you to develop your personal development/business plan further and identify a package of support and training shaped to your specific needs.

During this step, you will work with and support those within your network.

Step 5 – Acceleration:
Start your six week test trading period together with your network in a supportive environment. You will have access to a £500 grant and personalised guidance to launch and get your business off the ground.

What happens next?

At the end of the test trade period, we won't leave you to get on with it, we will provide you with access to a business advisor and a mentor for a further 12 months while you get established! And remember, you will have a strong network of likeminded women supporting you to continue your journey.

If at any point during the five steps you decide you are not ready to start your business just yet, we will provide advice and guidance on other opportunities available across the county.

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With a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, smaller class sizes that give more personal support and the chance to fit life around your lectures, there has never been a better time to discover University courses and the options available with Truro and Penwith College.